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David Friesen, Clark Terry, Bud Shank: Three To Get Ready
by Jim Santella
Recorded February 24, 1994 in East Berlin, this session, before a large audience in an auditorium, brings together three melody makers with no chording instrument or drum set. David Friesen provides a walking bass pattern, while the trio creates obvious harmony as they work together. But this unusual instrumentation provides a setting that is far removed ...
Didier Lockwood: Tribute To St
by Jim Santella
Inimitable. Stéphane Grappelli was one of a kind. Rather than attempt to imitate him, Didier Lockwood pays tribute in his own way. A love of melody and a keen sense of swing remain as common denominators. Lockwood, however, adds high harmonics, spiritual whistles, unique improvisation and modern harmonic sounds to the performance. The changes are subtle, ...
Brian Auger: Voices Of Other Times
by Jim Santella
Surrounded by smooth R&B guitars and voices, Brian Auger rips through the electric piano and Hammond B-3 organ on a thrill ride. This ride doesn’t take you head over heels and through loops. Instead, it takes you on a jazz journey over smooth waters and rolling waves. From fusion to acid jazz, the band has captured ...
Paul Kendall: Rhapsody
by Jim Santella
Saxophonist Paul Kendall leads several different quartets throughout this latest session of warm standards. As the album's title implies, it's all about melodies and rich harmony. However, Kendall makes sure throughout that there's plenty of space for everyone to stretch out. Averaging eight minutes per track, the program features Kendall's romantic tenor saxophone improvising over familiar ...
Kingcake: Kingcake
by Jim Santella
What a combination! Tuba, alto saxophone and percussion. The trio adds harmonica on five tracks for a wider scope, but the impression is a lasting one: three outcats swinging on a star and creating aural landscapes. Tunes dedicated to people, places and great ideas leave no doubt when the music swings. Similar in aim to the ...
Phil DeGreg: Whirl Away
by Jim Santella
Pianist Phil DeGreg combines hot bop, the blues, and modal melodies on his second J Curve album. His modern mainstream approach to jazz emphasizes the lyrical side, while supplying lively rhythmic substance. DeGreg’s quintet moves from unison saxophone & guitar or unison piano & guitar to extended solo work, keeping each piece lively through syncopation and ...
Mike Vax: Creepin' With Clark
by Jim Santella
Recorded last September 1-2 in New York, this sextet session features three horn players who’ve spent their professional careers expressing with tone quality in residence at the top of their priority lists. Each has achieved a clean, overtone-rich timbre that allows the artist to perform a wide variety of music that always sounds beautiful. What separates ...
Paul Wertico Trio: Don't Be Scared Anymore
by Jim Santella
With a fusion of jazz, rock and soulful blues, Paul Wertico features blazing guitars atop propulsive rhythms for his second trio album. The Chicago lineup works well together with empathy, while performing original compositions from each of them. The drummer-led unit drives through a variety of familiar rhythms, including classical ostinatos, ride cymbal swings, and a ...
The Matt Gordy Group: Eclipse
by Jim Santella
A modern mainstream quintet led by veteran drummer Matt Gordy invites comparisons to the Jazz Messengers of Art Blakey. Two horns and rhythm section work through interwoven ensemble counterpoint as well as in support of featured solo highlights. Gordy, 45, has chosen a program of five originals and one standard as the format for his third ...
Jason Moran: Facing Left
by Jim Santella
A creative artist, who espouses originality, Jason Moran has sidestepped the critics with his modern mainstream approach that blends in elements from all over the spectrum. The pianist and composer has been reviewed with eyes and ears that paint his melodies as unmemorable and academic. It’s possible that some of the criticism has been tempered by ...
